Amelia Earhart would be proud of our Michigan Chapter of
the 99s, which has carried on the traditions set by that first gathering on
Curtiss Field on Long Island, NY, for 75 years.

In 1929 Mary Von Mach flew the Bendix Derby (men and women
pilots) and met many lady pilots from Michigan so, she decided a Michigan
chapter should be formed. Thus, an extraordinary journey of 75 years began on
February 17, 1934 at the Gratiot Airport in Roseville, Michigan.

The eight women pilots present became the Charter members;
Mary Von Mach, also a Charter member of the National Organization, Gladys
Hartung, Mabel Britton, Helen Lehtio, Jeanette Lempke (Sovereign), Alice
Hirschman (Hammond), Faye Davies (Kirk) and Margaret Horton. Gladys Hartung was
appointed the Chapter’s first Chairman and Margaret Horton, its first
Secretary-Treasurer.

The Early Years

The first project undertaken was to assist the Michigan
State Department of Aeronautics in airmarking towns. Because of the lack of
navigation instruments, pilots depended on air markings of roof tops, water
towers, parking lots and hillsides. During the war much of the air marking was
erased, in the late ‘40s it was resumed. Now, in our 75th year, air marking is
flourishing with the leadership of Martha Mac Leod, Nicki, her mathematically
adept husband Richard Acker, and other aviation oriented organizations. The
chapter, in cooperation with other flying organizations, organized Air Shows and
held monthly 99 meetings at airports around the State to gain recognition for
women pilots and the state Department of Aviation.

A Chapter Scrapbook was decided upon to record the history
of the Chapter through newspaper clippings.

An aviation lending library was begun with donated books,
the first in the 99s organization. The National Magazine “Airwomen” assumed the
form of the 99s “Newsletter” and Chapter members Mabel Britton and Alice Hammond
became the first editors.

On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart lost her life and as a
living Memorial to her Chapter members Alice Hammond and Helen Montgomery
proposed an annual scholarship to be named the “Amelia Earhart Memorial
Scholarship”. In1941, a resolution was proposed and approved at the 99s National
Convention and the Amelia Earhart (AE) Memorial Scholarship became a reality.
Today, there are 24 scholarships that comprise the Amelia Earhart Scholarship;
one was created by donations for Alice Hammond and another formed from funds
donated by Chris Winzer. Over the years 14 members of the chapter earned AE
scholarships to further their aviation skills.

When Helen Montgomery set a National Soaring record in 1938
for staying aloft 7 hours, for a distance of 26.4 miles, it was a big event
because she was a woman.

Approaching and after the outbreak of World War ll, 99s
devoted themselves to the war efforts. Mary von Mach was a B24 engine inspector
at the Willow Run Plant. Most of the Michigan Chapter joined the newly formed
Civil Air Patrol. Alice Hammond became the Squadron Commander of the only, all
women pilot CAP squadron in the nation. The pilots were all from the Michigan
Chapter.

Many who were instructors at the time were contracted by
the U.S. Government to instruct Army pilots at bases around the country. Eloise
Smith instructed Navy amphibian and seaplane pilots here in Michigan. Others
were called into the WASP’s where they flew aircraft from the factories to the
bases and returned with those needing repair and/or upgrading. Some were based
in Rawsonville, MI. The head and founder, of the WASPs was Nancy Harkness Love,
who was born in Houghton, Michigan.

The Growth Years

After the war, as more women became pilots, the membership
in the Michigan Chapter of 99s grew rapidly. Monthly meetings were held at
airports in different cities around Southern Michigan. In 1946, the first upper
Michigan meeting was held in Sault Ste. Marie. In the ‘80s two day meeting and
sightseeing tour was hosted in Calumet, in the ‘90s in Marquette and Munising,
then in 2000s in Marquette and Hancock.

As the Chapter grew in numbers, new chapters spun off; in
1973 – Lake Michigan Chapter, and 1975 – Greater Detroit Area Chapter. By 2008
both chapters rejoined the Michigan Chapter. In 2006 some members in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin joined to create the Northwoods
Chapter.

Air Racing

The AWTAR (All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race) started
in 1947 and managed by the National 99s. Sometimes more than 200 planes
participated in a course spanning 2500 to 2950 statute miles. There was Michigan
participating in almost every race. Bernice “Bea” Steadman pilot and Mary Clark
99s co-pilot won the race in 1966. That race was from Seattle, WA to Clearwater,
FL, 2875 statute miles and was the second longest in AWTAR’s history. The last
AWTAR flown was in 1977. Bea and Mary also won the International Air Race, also
known as the Angel Derby flying from Florida to Havana, Cuba.

The first Southern Michigan All Ladies Lark (SMALL) Race
was held in 1956 as a means of moving the Powder Puff Derby’s contestants from
their terminus in Flint to the International Convention in Harbor Springs, MI.
Its first Chairperson was Bernice “Bea” Steadman. The SMALL Race became an
annual event and the challenge was to state your fuel consumption and time
around a 300 nautical course. As a testament to the skills of the women pilots,
scores in the 99 plus the ten thousands was common.

In 1981, the SMALL Race became a Rally and turned coed.
Chapter member Sammy McKay flew every Michigan SMALL Race, 36 consecutively,
placing in the top three many times; something no one else had accomplished.
Sammy received her pilot’s certificate in 1955 after being encouraged to fly by
her husband, George, and flew her first of many air races in 1956. She went on
to complete her Commercial certificate. After her last flight, the week before
her death, she put her beloved Cessna N6174F in the shop for its annual, in
anticipation of many more flights. Sammy went to new horizons on May 19, 1994,
at the age of 78. Sammy flew many AWTARs, Angel Derbies, and Air Race Classics.
She also flew the World Vintage Air Rally from London, England to Sydney,
Australia. Sammy must be flying races in Heaven.

In 2006, the Michigan SMALL Rally was retired in Traverse
City on the 50th Anniversary. The traveling Paul Bunyan Trophy has a final
location on Bernice Steadman’s mantle. It was a very sad but momentous day.

Another Kind Of Race – Amelia’s Around The World Flight
Plan Finally Completed

In 1927, ten years before Amelia Earhart attempted to fly
around the world, Mildred Doran, a 22-year-old Flint, Michigan schoolteacher
attempted to fly to Honolulu, Hawaii to capture the Dole prize of $25,000. She,
a navigator, another pilot and a certifier took off from California with three
other planes in the race for the money. Only two aircraft arrived in Honolulu.
The others including Mildred’s plane vanished and were never found.

In 1964, Joan Merriam-Smith, at the age of 28, flew Amelia
Earhart’s route around the world, in her twin Apache. She crossed the equator
five times, covering 27,750 miles, in 200 flying hours spanning over 23 days.
Major U.S. and international aviation organizations recognized her success.

Joan started her aviation career at 15, taking lessons at
Wayne Major (now Detroit Metro). When interviewed, Detroit was her “home town”;
by 17, she had her Private Pilots License, at 18, her Commercial License, and
Instructor and Instrument Ratings. At 23, she was the youngest woman pilot in
the country to receive her Air Transport Rating.

Joan was also a test pilot for private industry.
Unfortunately, Joan lost her life a few months after successfully flying
Amelia’s route around the world when a wing fell off a Turbo Cessna she was
testing.

In 1967, Ann Pelegrino, a 30-year-old teacher from Saline,
MI, with the help of a navigator, flew a Lockheed Electra, similar to Amelia’s,
around the world. Because of the problems in the Mid East, she had to avoid all
the Arab countries. Ann was successful in completing her flight around the world
but it did not replicate Amelia’s flight plan.

Mary von Mach Scholarship

In 1979, the Michigan Chapter voted to initiate a
scholarship for Civil Air Patrol Girl Cadets. A year later, the Chapter Chair
Mary Anglin designated the scholarship as a project for the chapter. Mary asked
Claire Ojala to investigate making the Scholarship permanent.

To make the Scholarship permanent, it was necessary to
incorporate and register with the State of Michigan and obtain a Federal 501c3
status. A board of four would manage the scholarship; three members were to be
former chapter chairman and to keep the continuity of the project year round,
one permanent Trustee. The Michigan Chapter would fund it though fundraisers and
donations from individuals, both public and private.

The scholarship is the opportunity of a lifetime for at
least one cadet each year to explore aviation and discover aviation careers
available. Qualified Civil Air Patrol Female Cadets are selected to attend a
Power Flight Encampment, the summer of receiving the scholarship. Claire Ojala
was selected as the Permanent Trustee, the other three members were: June Beers,
Mareda Babcock and Nancy Miller. The 2009 members are Linda Langrill, Nancy
Walters, Gini Sutherland and Claire Ojala, Permanent Trustee.

In 1980, Mary von Mach, charter member of the Ninety-Nines
passed away. The Michigan Chapter membership voted to name the scholarship “The
Mary von Mach Scholarship”. The 37th Scholarship will be presented in this the
30th year of its existence. Many recipients are now in fields of
aviation; Officers in the U.S.A.F., USAF Academy Instructor, United Airline
Captain, Corporate pilots, Officers in the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Amy Helicopter
Pilot, CFI, attending the U.S. Naval Academy. Others are now nurses and
teachers, and a lawyer.

In 1991, The Civil Air Patrol awarded the Chapter the
Brewer Organization Award, recognizing our commitment to the young ladies
cadets.

Accomplishments

Bea Steadman and the late Jane Hart (both Michigan Chapter
members) successfully passed the Mercury screening tests for Astronauts in 1962.
As we know, the Mercury 13 women were never allowed to become astronauts. They
passed the tests with flying colors, but a new rule was passed, requiring
astronauts to attend jet school where women, at that time, were not allowed
entry, thus, terminating the women's space program. Finally, on May 15, 2007, at
the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, the ladies in the space program finally
received recognition. In honor of their pioneering spirit and efforts in the
advancement of women’s rights, the University awarded honorary doctorates to the
Mercury 13 women astronauts.

The Michigan Chapter was host to two International
Conventions. In 1951, on Mackinac Island and in 1956, at Harbor Springs.
Numerous North Central Section meetings were hosted over the 75-year history of
the chapter.

The Chapter hosted many races – The All Women’s
Transcontinental Air Race, The International Air Race, Air Classic and the
Bahama Grand Prix.

Thirty-three women were honored by the State of Michigan
for having soloed before 1945. Mary West, Babe Ruth and Leah Higgins flew
actively for over 50 years.

In 1981 Linda DeForest designed our chapter logo, a seagull
in silhouette against the sky, a symbol of experiencing new things; flying
higher, faster; daring to be different; bringing persistence and sharing with
others what we learned.

The Michigan Chapter has honored 45 members in Memory Lane
in The Forest of Friendship for exceptional contributions to aviation.

Two members built their own planes with their husbands,
Helen and Walt Suminski, a Cozy, and Nancy and Ron Walters, a Glassair.

During the past 75 years, our members have enjoyed a
variety of careers in aviation and honors: Chairwomen of the Michigan Aeronautic
Commission; first women aircraft control supervisor; aircraft controller;
Managers of Major city airports; Michigan Aeronautics Commission Safety
Specialist; Editor of Michigan Aviation; Safety Counselors of the Year; Cover
girl of the 99 aviation calendar; Director of Aviation Flight Technology at
Oakland University; First Officer of Northwest; Prop-jet Captain for Comair;
Great Lakes Regional Accident Prevention Counselor of the year; Captain on
United Air; co-pilots of major airlines; Flight Instructor of the Year;
Corporate pilots; Certified Flight Instructors; Certified Instrument Flight
Instructors; and Regional Director of the FAA.

Our members continue to work on the Chapter’s pet projects,
update ratings, BFR, and next Phase. They still find time to fly for
International Health, Daffodil Fly-Away for the American Cancer Society, Mercy
Medical flights, Corporate Flying Angels, Camp-Catch-a-Rainbow; guardian angels
to Future Women Pilots, speaking to school children, scouts, adult clubs, give
tours and rides in our aircraft and flying EAA Young Eagles.

When leisure time presents itself, we fly races and the
Michigan Air Tour just for fun.

One constant in most Michigan Chapter members’ life is the
enthusiastic support of their 49½.

We as a chapter are fortunate to have ninety extraordinary
Chapter Chairwomen who led us through our history. It could not have been an
easy job with so many talented members. Our hats are off to you all.

Many of our mentors have flown to new horizons but their
inspiration has not diminished.

Information was excerpted from the Archives of the Michigan
Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, Inc.